In randomized controlled trials (RTCs), one group receives an intervention, while another does not. In a social science research RTC, for over twelve years, non-profit GiveDirectly issued direct cash transfers of $22 per month to randomly selected adults in a Kenyan village to test direct cash transfers' effectiveness in poverty alleviation. Some suggest RTCs like GiveDirectly's are exploitative, rendering human beings as experimental subjects. Others suggest benefitting only a portion of the population might provoke tension within the community. Are random selection effects inherently unfair?

The creation of websites like Sci-Hub, which illegally hosts and distributes millions of research papers for free, has drawn both praise and legal action. Supporters of the site argue that the website democratizes education, levels the playing field for universities without as much funding, and speeds up the research process. Any profit lost by websites like Sci-Hub is not affecting researchers, but rather publishing companies. These publishing companies argue that Sci-Hub impacts their ability to provide high-quality science, as well as encourages intellectual property theft.

Facebook uses an algorithm that controls what a user will and will not see. In 2012, Facebook altered their newsfeed algorithm to conduct a psychological experiment regarding if emotional states are contagious via social media networks, but did not tell its users about this alteration. Facebook does, however, get consent to intentionally alter news feeds when a user agrees with the terms and conditions.

Yvonne and Zaina have been married for years, until Yvonne passed away and made 3 wishes before her death. One, for Zaina to never drink coffee again, due to her believing this was the cause for her terminal illness without any proof. Two, Yvonne wants the money she left to be dedicated towards research on the negative effects of coffee. Third, Zaina can never marry again. After years of following through with her promise, Zaina begins to wonder if there's any point to the silly demands, especially since she has found a new love interest who is ready to be married. Would Zaina be wrong to break her promises?

Universities are increasingly accepting private money to fund academic centers, programs, and faculty. Often, this money comes from sources that have clear political agendas. Proponents of private funding in academia argue that as long as the supported research and teaching meet the standards of acceptable scholarship, it doesn’t matter how it is funded.

Biomedical experiments often use nonhuman animals as test subjects. This can lead to important scientific advances but exposes research subjects to injury/death without the possibility of consent. How should we compare the value of scientific knowledge with the wellbeing of nonhuman research subjects?

AltSchool is a for-profit school AND tech company. It collects data on enrolled students for research and the development of operating system for education that it will market to schools. However, this technology may further inequality since it is too expensive for many schools. Should schools partner with tech companies? Should schools conduct research on students?

Nick, a terminally ill patient, was denied admittance to a clinical trial that was the only means to access a potentially life-saving drug. Under what conditions is it ethical for drug companies to offer or deny drugs to patients that want them but are not eligible for the trials?